In 2045, Indonesia is expected to transform into a major world economic power. However, it is not easy to realize this because it requires early preparation, especially considering the rise of radicalism within society.
The Faculty of Humanities of President University in collaboration with the President University Major Association of International Relations held a guest lecture entitled “Towards a Well Developed Indonesia that are Free of Radicalism” on Wednesday 5 February 2020 at the Charles Himawan Auditorium, Cikarang. This guest lecture invited Prof. Dr. Hj. Siti Musdah Mulia, MA, a female activist, researcher, counselor, and writer in the field of religion in Indonesia.
In the guest lecture, Musdah defined radicalism as an ideology in religion that utilizes purification efforts to return to its original source. She outlined five elements of radicalism that endanger the development of a nation, namely the anti-democratic element, the anti-pluralism element, the anti-feminism element, the anti-nationalism element, and the anti-Pancasila element. Therefore, efforts to consolidate democracy and active participation of civil society and government that are based in Pancasila are deemed important in eradicating radicalism. This can be done through small things in everyday life through the behavior of universal human values ??that are also contained in the points of the Pancasila, especially the first point that contains the essential values ??of human spirituality.
Dr. Endi Haryono, S.IP., M.Sc. as Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, President University said, “To be a great economic power of the world, fundamental preparation in the social field is as important as fundamental preparation in the economic field, especially in the formation of a strong national character in the midst of radicalism.”
This is supported by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Drs. Chandra Setiawan, MM, Ph.D., Rector of President University 2012-2016. He said that it needed five socio-economic pillars to get out of the middle-income trap namely quality human resources and technological expertise, sustainable economic development and economic equality, good governance, clean government, and the development of national character based on Pancasila. According to him, the trend of radicalism which has become the main highlight of the public and government became a significant challenge considering that exposure to radicalism had touched the figure of 20% among high school students and college-level students as cited from the Indonesian Ministry of Defense in 2019. “If Indonesia wants to advance, it must return to its national ideology, Pancasila, as a way of life that best suits the diverse characteristics of Indonesia,” Chandra said.
Therefore, Musdah emphasized the important role of lecturers and educators in empowering people with a touch of humanity. According to him, overcoming structural problems caused by radicalism such as inequality and social injustice requires systemic participation from all walks of life. “I hope the lecturers and educators at President University, especially in the religious field, are able to educate students through a humanist view that is supported by the values of multiculturalism.”